164 
SELECTED ARTICLES. 
For the chlorine, 
Matter used, 0.305 
Chloride of silver, 0.303 
It is almost useless to endeavor to represent this composi- 
tion by an atomic formula, for it has not been possible to form 
with this matter any definite combinations and consequently 
to fix its atomic weight. 
The following formula indicates only the relations of atoms 
to each other: 
Carbon, 45 
Hydrogen, 26 
Nitrogen, 2 
Chlorine, 4 
Oxygen, 5* 
But we may conclude from the elementary analysis which 
has been stated, that the matter obtained by the action of 
chlorine upon strychnia is the product of reaction, and not a 
chloride of strychnia; for upon substracting the chlorine, the 
remaining elements are not in such proportion as to form 
strychnia. The quantity of the carbon is too small, and of the 
oxygen too great. As to the hydrogen, the quantity is nearly 
equal in each; but as hydrogen has necessarily been abstracted 
by the chlorine to form hydrochloric acid, it is necessary that 
the hydrogen should re-enter under the form of water. This 
subject requires still further research. 
The action of chlorine upon strychnia, viewed as a means 
of investigation in the research for that substance, appears to 
me, as I have before said, to deserve consideration. The 
sensibility of chlorine as a re-agent for strychnia, is well 
marked, and suffices to discover even a trace. Hardly has a 
bubble of chlorine reached the solution of strychnia (for the 
* This is evidently a miscalculation. The atomic weights of hydro- 
gen and oxygen being taken at one and eight respectively, would give ten 
atoms of oxygen. 
